30 min. and frozen berries = 5 jars of jam

Making Jam is so easy and you feel so very accomplished...I had some thawed strawberries and decided I might as well use them to make some jam, after all it is something that most people like and it makes a very nice gift for almost any occasion. Pair it with some rolls or biscuits and some tea or coffee, put it in a gift basket and give as a hostess gift, or...what the heck, just enjoy it yourself! Shall we get started...

5 cups crushed berries

1/4 cups lemon juice 

1 package powdered pectin

7 cups sugar
1/2 tsp butter (optional)

Stir first three ingredients together in a large pan (soup kettle size) and place over high heat.  Stir until mixture comes to a hard boil.  Add 7 cups of sugar all at once and 1/2 tsp butter (the butter makes it so you don't have any foam to skim off after your jam is done but if you like the foamy jam as my kids did then you can skip the butter). Stirring occasionally, let the jam come to a rolling boil (one that can't be stirred down)  and then boil for 1 min.  Please be very careful as the jam gets very angry and bubbles and pops everywhere and hot jam on skin hurts!  Remove from heat and stir 3 to 4 min. If you didn't add the butter, skim off the foam at this time.  Ladle into jars that have been washed and sterilized by pouring boiling water over them.  Wipe rim of jar off with a clean damp cloth and seal with a lid and band, tighten band just until firm, don't put all your strength into it, and then as they cool you will hear a pop which means it sealed.  Make sure to fill and cap jars one at a time.....now to make some scones...enjoy!